Introduction

Most people know that idolatry is a grave sin, but never think that it could have anything to do with them. They imagine that idolaters, defined as those who ascribe equals to Allah, are merely people who worship totems carved out of stone or wood, like the primitive pre-Islamic Arab pagans who worshipped idols in the Ka`bah. However, idolatry is far more subtle and is actually widespread in many societies today. In reality, idolatry comprises everything that people set up as a goal that does not involve seeking Allah’s approval, in who or which they place their hopes or desire for approval, or every entity regarded as possessing true power and control other than Allah. Given the subtlety of this definition, idolatry needs to be considered as something that may be very close at hand. Ascribing equals to Allah is a most dangerous sin, one that cannot be forgiven and therefore will lead people to Hell. Thus, those who fear and respect Allah and hope for His Paradise must be on their guard against this threat. But people cannot do this if they do not know what idolatry is and what things fall under its scope. This website has been written to illustrate how idolatry, as set out in the Qur’an, exists in contemporary society. We hope that it will achieve this aim, help people renounce all of their idols, and turn sincerely to and serve only Almighty Allah, the true Creator of all things. In addition, idolatry heads the list of sins to be avoided, for those who ascribe equals to Allah are guilty of committing a grave sin against Him. In the Qur’an, Allah reveals that He will not forgive such a serious slander, sin, and act of disrespect: Allah does not forgive anything being associated with Him, but He forgives whomever He wills for anything other than that. Anyone who associates something with Allah has gone very far astray. (Surat an-Nisa’: 116) This is where the importance of avoiding idolatry lies. As Allah will never forgive such a major sin, He calls upon Muslims to avoid it at all costs by refusing to ascribe equals to Him. For example, Prophet Luqman (as) advised his son: “O my son, do not associate anything with Allah. Associating others with Him is a terrible wrong” (Surah Luqman: 13). Another reason to avoid this mistake is that it causes all of a person’s efforts to become vain and inflicts a terrible disappointment upon those who have gone astray: It has been revealed to you and those before you: “If you associate others with Allah, your actions will come to nothing and you will be among the losers.” (Surat az-Zumar: 65) Clearly, ascribing equals to Allah is a grievous sin that can drag a person down to Hell. Therefore, anyone who fears and respects Allah and hopes for His Paradise must guard against it. This website has been written in the hope that having a clear understanding of the Qur’anic concept of idolatry will help the readers realize that much of what they consider to be perfectly normal and regular behavior is, in fact, nothing more than idolatry. May it achieve this aim and may it be a means whereby people will renounce their mistaken beliefs and worldview and serve only Almighty Allah, the Creator of all things. Readers must also be informed that this danger may not be something that existed only a long time ago or in primitive societies. It is probably far closer to them than they think it is, and thus should be of great concern to them. Those who feel no need to reflect on this matter will fail to benefit from what is said herein. In other words, if they are idolaters they will remain so and face Allah after death in a state of great sin. No Muslim wants to meet the Lord in such a state. Therefore, read this website in all sincerity, as if it had been written just for you. Reflect on it honestly and consider the examples and Qur’anic verses carefully, and then determine if your beliefs and actions are based on idolatry in any way. Since all people are helpless and prone to error, the important thing is to recognize one’s errors and abandon them immediately.

WHAT IS IDOLATRY?

The Arabic word shirk implies partnership. The term is translated into English as ascribing partners or equals to Allah. The Qur’an uses shirk in the following sense: regarding, preferring, or attaching importance or worth to anything, anyone, or any concept in such a way that it is considered to be equal to or above Allah, and then acting according to that distorted perspective. This attitude means that one regards members of Allah’s creation as divine, although only He can be divine.
The Qur’an’s fundamental message is that there is no deity other than Allah. This truth is set out in the profession of faith, la ilaha illa Allah, and is reiterated throughout the Qur’an. However, Muslims need to understand this point fully and reflect upon it deeply. Given that all power and might belongs to Allah and that He is the Only God, this cannot be interpreted in a superficial manner. When we look at the Qur’an, we see that any other belief, attitude, or behavior that is not based upon this truth is actually idolatry. Thus, we may translate shirk in the general sense as the false conception and idea that any person, thing, or supposed deity has any actual power and might other than Allah.
According to the Qur’an, a deity is an entity that possesses the titles and attributes that Allah has revealed about Himself. The only true deity, therefore, is Allah. No other member of creation has His titles, and to claim otherwise means taking entities other than Allah as one’s deity or ascribing equals to Allah.
A fine distinction needs to be drawn here. For example, one of Allah’s titles, al-Ghani (the Wealthy), can also refer to one’s material situation. What leads to idolatry, however, is imagining that this wealth was acquired through personal effort. If this were the case, the fact that all wealth actually belongs to Allah would be forgotten. For whatever reason, Allah willed to give that person all that he or she owns, thereby manifesting this particular title. However, many people often forget or ignore the fact that Allah can remove whatever He wills from whoever He wills in a single moment. The failure to consider anyone apart from Allah as poor and helpless renders people unable to understand that He can manifest Himself by whatever titles and in whatever people He wills. As a result, one may think that the individual concerned is the true owner of such possessions as wealth, riches, property, and titles. But since such things were bestowed by Allah, instead of being acquired by individual effort, this misunderstanding may cause people to forget Allah and ascribe a divine title to another human being. If they do this, they are guilty of idolatry.
The correct thing to do is to realize that Allah is the sole possessor and lord of all riches and wealth, regardless of their location and amount, and that He can withdraw His wealth from anyone whenever He wills. When evaluating materially rich people, the important thing is not their economic status but that they are thought of as Allah’s servant. For example, if one’s family members regard the father as the true owner of his wealth and thus place their hopes solely in him, thereby forgetting the wealth’s true owner, they are committing a serious sin. Similarly, those who work alongside this person must realize that only Allah feeds, clothes, and shelters them. It would be highly irrational for them to regard their employer as the one who provides for them, because:

Instead of [worshipping] Allah, you worship only idols and invent falsehood. Those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to provide for you, so seek your provision from Allah, worship Him, and give thanks to Him. It is to Him that you will be returned. (Surat al-‘Ankabut: 17)

In addition, the Qur’an states that there is no force and power other than Allah (Surat al-Kahf: 39). Whatever resembles force and power in His created entities is actually a reflection of His infinite might. Allah can remove these apparent attributes at any moment. Overestimating anyone because of these attributes bestowed on them by Allah in this world, temporarily and as a test, and to admire them as if that power was actually inherent in them, is a form of ascribing divine status to them.

They do not appreciate Allah with His true measure. Allah is All-Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Hajj: 74)

This same logic applies to all of Allah’s other titles that He manifests or causes to be reflected by members of His creations. In considering these entities, one must be aware that these titles belong only to Allah and that what we see in other people are merely manifestations of them.

The starting point of idolatry

The serious mistake of attributing an independent identity to Allah’s creations by regarding them as beings in their own right who are independent of Allah leads to idolatry. Allah’s wealth, beauty, might, and glory do exist, but those upon whom He bestows them do not actually possess them and are not the originators of them; nor do they or their possessions exist in any way that is independent of His existence. People who do not understand this often admire or fear those who apparently possess such attributes, believing that they are somehow independent of Him.
This is the starting point of idolatry. As we will see in later chapters, such an attribution underlies all forms of shirk and idolatrous attitudes. True believers must build their faith on monotheism (viz., the oneness of Allah) and avoid ascribing any equals to Him. Therefore, all people must constantly remember that they are indebted to Allah for whatever they possess and have been brought into being only through Allah’s will. He can keep them alive or not, as He wills, and bestows whatever attributes He wills upon any member of His creation.
Power, opportunity, intelligence, beauty, fame, and rank are all attributes created by Him. Since He created them, He can easily remove them whenever He wills to do so. Allah manifests Himself in different ways in all places and all people. It is these manifestations that one sees wherever he or she looks. Those who believe in Allah must place the realization that nothing exists independent of Allah firmly in their heart. Only when they believe, think, and behave in accordance with this truth can they stop ascribing equals to Allah.

The Idolaters’ Invalid Justifications

We can learn the most accurate meanings of idolatry, monotheism, service, and worship from the Qur’an. Only by reading and understanding the Qur’an and seeking to implement it in our lives can we acquire an attitude, understanding, belief, and behavior that takes Allah as our Lord in all matters and thus avoid the error of idolatry. Therefore, someone who has faith and knows that the Qur’an is the truth must not adopt any other criteria when it comes to matters of faith, thought, moral understanding, lifestyle, and other value judgments. In addition, trying to justify one’s preference for alternatives to Allah’s commands and thus abandoning His stipulations leads to idolatry.
No such justification is valid. For example, preferring someone’s approval and seeking to please him or her instead of Allah means adopting another deity. Fearing and respecting someone as much as or more than Allah, and thus abandoning His commands or behaving in a way does not please Him, mean exactly the same thing. Loving another person as much as Allah means that that person is in shirk. If someone who is aware of the requirement to live by faith points to his or her surroundings or environment as a justification for making concessions on religion so as not to attract criticism, this a clear sign of idolatry – whose approval should be more important? A person’s family or close circle may not understand Islam, in which case any departure from its requirements or making concessions is another sign of that same danger. No Muslim can make any concessions regarding Allah’s approval, for only His approval matters. Of course nobody wants to lessen his or her love and respect for the family. But if family members call upon him or her to ascribe equals to Allah, He reveals the correct reaction:

We have instructed man to honor his parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me something about which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. It is to Me that you will return, and I will inform you about the things you did. (Surat al-‘Ankabut: 8)

The Prophet (saas) is the best example of how to deal with non-Muslims. While he was preaching, many people realized that the Qur’an was Allah’s word and had to be heeded. However, very few of them actually implemented the requirements of religious morality and followed him. For instance, the verses regarding Islamic clothing for women were revealed in the period after the Hijra:

Safiyyah bint Shaybah said: "When we were with A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), we mentioned the women of Quraysh and their virtues. A'isha said, 'The women of Quraysh are good, but by Allah (swt) I have never seen any better or more strict in their adherence to the Book of Allah (swt) than the women of the Ansar. When Surat al-Nur was revealed (...that they should draw their veils over their bosoms...) their menfolk went to them and recited to them the words that Allah (swt) had revealed. Each man recited it to his wife, his daughter, his sister and other family relatives. Every woman among them got up, took her decorated wrapper, and wrapped herself up in it out of faith and belief in what Allah (swt) had revealed. …" (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surat an-Nur, “The Rulings of Hijab”)

The following is also reported regarding the excellent behavior of Muslim women when the relevant verses were revealed:

A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “When Allah (swt) revealed the verse: ‘and to draw their veils all over their bosoms,’ they tore their aprons and covered themselves with them.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surat an-Nur, “The Rulings of Hijab”)

In the time of the Prophet (saas), Muslim women immediately obeyed Almighty Allah’s commandment, and experienced a great enthusiasm and desire to do so. The Muslims who came after them also fulfilled this commandment with the same enthusiasm and determination.
Some others, however, were fearful of the reaction of the community they lived in, were put off by their threats, were concerned about losing their position and prestige, and thought that they would suffer losses if they complied with the Prophet (saas), set time aside for Muslims and served the religion. Because of the difficult environment, some feared the likely troubles that would befall them, some regarded setting out alongside the Prophet (saas) in the heat of the desert as difficult and preferred their own worldly desires.
In conclusion, these people came up with various pretexts for making concessions on the faith. But in the light of the verses of the Qur’an it can immediately be seen that they were ascribing equals to Allah. Because even though these people saw the truth in their hearts, they nevertheless preferred either other people, or society as a whole, or money, or their status or desires over Allah’s approval. They sought to please others than Allah and hoped for salvation from entities other than Him. The great majority feared their society’s criticism, hesitated in the face of threats, worried about losing their rank and prestige, thought that following the Prophet (saas) could affect their business and financial interests, and that they would lose out by devoting time to Muslims and serving Islam. Some were afraid of what would happen if they converted, and others preferred their own ease and comfort to migrating to Madinah with the Prophet (saas) and starting all over again.
In other words, they tried to justify their concessions. Based on what the Qur’an says, however, they were actually ascribing partners to Allah, for they were aware of the truth and yet preferred the approval other people, society, money, rank, or earthly desires over that of Allah. Thus, they placed their hopes in entities other than Him.
Many of these same people also made concessions because of their earthly passions or to satisfy their desires or to avoid making sacrifices:

And a group of them said: “O People of Yathrib (Madinah), your position is untenable so turn back!” Some of them asked the Prophet to excuse them, saying: “Our houses are exposed,” when they were not exposed; it was merely that they wanted to run away. (Surat al-Ahzab: 13)

As we have seen, such people made excuses so they would not have to accompany the Prophet (saas) and the believers, and would not have to fully implement Islam in their lives. Maybe they told others how logical they were. However, these excuses were invalid in Allah’s sight and so they only deceived themselves. By preferring their worldly desires over Allah’s approval, they clearly ascribed equals to Allah.
People living at our Prophet’s (saas) time were tested under the conditions of the time; people today are also being tested. Allah knows whether they are sincere when they have to choose between their own desires and His approval, or whether they make excuses like the idolaters in the past. Everyone will be appropriately rewarded or punished in the Hereafter for their actions in this world.

On that Day the excuses of those who did wrong will not help them, nor will they be able to appease Allah. (Surat ar-Rum: 57)

Given the above, people today should not distance themselves from the Qur’an and invent excuses for turning away from Islam.
First and foremost, someone who ascribes equals to Allah has adopted as a law-giver some thing or person other than Allah. This supposed “equal” to Allah could be the person himself or herself, family members or ancestors, friends, employer, society, and even the founders and followers of various philosophies and ideologies. Looked at from this viewpoint, people who follow a path other than Islam have chosen, either consciously or not, idolatry. Regardless of what they call themselves (e.g., agnostic, atheist, Christian, Jew, or Muslim), they are idolaters. Even if they perform the five daily prayers, fast, and perform many Islamic observances, they are still idolaters if even one of their thoughts or value judgments conflicts with the Qur’an, if they abandon Allah’s commands, or if they try to please others instead of Him.
Someone who ascribes partners to Allah does not have to think this is also a deity or say “I have adopted this as a deity alongside Allah and worship this, too,” for idolatry is first of all in the heart and then reflected in deed. As the Qur’an makes clear, people’s preference for any other entity than Allah causes them to become idolaters. However, such people generally do not deny Allah’s existence; in fact, many of them refuse to admit that they are idolaters at all. Having smothered their consciences and deceived themselves, they even deny their idolatry in the Hereafter:

On the Day We gather them all together, We will ask those who associated others with Allah: “Where are the partner-deities for whom you made such claims?” Then they will have no recourse except to say: “By Allah, our Lord, We were not idolaters.” See how they lie against themselves and how what they invented has forsaken them! (Surat al-An‘am: 22-24)